MIAMI, Fla.-- Hits and strikeouts came at the right time for WKU softball, as the Lady Toppers (34-12) won the Conference USA Championship on Saturday with a 3-1 win over Florida Atlantic.
It's the first time in WKU history that the Lady Toppers have won a conference championship and secured the automatic bid to a NCAA Regional. The Lady Toppers came into the championship week as the regular-season champions in its first year with C-USA. WKU will now await its destination into postseason action, as the NCAA Championship Selection Show takes place at 9 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
Named Most Valuable Player, Miranda Kramer (24-8) broke the C-USA Championship record with 44 strikeouts over the week after finishing with 13 against the Owls. The senior had three walks and three hit by pitches against her, as FAU capitalized to put runners in scoring position in four of the seven innings. Kramer held the Owls off, notching six of her strikeouts with a runner on second or third.
All-Tournament Team selection Carleigh Chaumont didn't play like a freshman all week, coming up even bigger in the final game. The Louisiana native went 2-for-3 at the plate, bringing in the game-winning runs after sending a one-out double off the wall in the sixth. The outfielder had a momentum defensive changer with a throw from left to home to get FAU runner Emily Lochten for the second out before Kramer tabbed a strikeout for the last out.
Sophomore Kathryn Downing also earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team after starting all three games at first base. The Bowling Green native best game came in a 3-1 win over UAB after notching two hits and a RBI.
Florida Atlantic built an early lead, starting the game with a leadoff walk and sacrifice bunt fielder's choice. With one down, Lochten sent a sacrifice fly to center field to score Lindsey Shell for the 1-0 advantage.
The lead held until the fourth inning when senior Shawna Salder put a home run right over the right center fence for her first of the season and third of her career. The tie broke in the sixth starting with Kayti Hanson hitting a single over the shortstop's head. After a stolen base, Preslie Cruce hit a ball the shortstop couldn't handle, setting up runners at the corners for Chaumont's winning hit.
Owls' pitcher Kylee Hanson (17-4) took the loss after allowing six hits and three walks while striking out seven.
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